Public service employees receive email regarding non-obligatory donation of salary, vacation leave

Public service employees have received an email asking them whether they wish to offer their month’s salary.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Robert Abela announces that he will be forfeiting one month’s salary in the wake of the spread of Coronavirus, and urged others to follow his example.

Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri and Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo forfeited a month’s salary after Abela’s announcement.

An email sent by the People & Standards Division (P&SD) yesterday called out for any public employee who wishes to offer their month’s salary, part of the salary or even leave donations to help out during this difficult period. The donations are not obligatory, and are being encouraged to promote solidarity during this period of time. The email reads that the Principal Permanent Secretary has delegated to P&SD the promotion of the scheme.

There will be a fund held by the Treasury Department for the monetary donations from all those in the Public Administration (the Public Service and broader Public Sector). P&SD will be keeping a detailed breakdown of the persons who donate and such records will be kept for administrative and future audit requirements.

Any leave donated will go into the existing central leave bank, which according to the statement ‘the bank will be generous with those who are in need in this moment.” The statement highlights that there will be a separate log for those who will donate leave from their entitlement, as there is currently a number of requests on humanitarian grounds or leave needed for parents to stay at home with their children.

For those who wish to donate they must fill out an attached form to either

(regarding leave) or

(salary related).